Maryland Allocates Inflation Act Funds to Forestry Projects
TL/DR –
The Maryland Forest Service has initiated a new grant program to distribute $4.8 million from the federal Inflation Reduction Act towards urban and community forestry projects over the next four years. The Community Forestry Catalyst Fund will expand the state’s efforts in its 5 Million Trees for Maryland initiative and existing programs that focus on tree plantings that offer maximum benefits to people, including heat island reduction, air quality control, and flood prevention. The first application window for the grants, which range from $5,000 to $200,000 each, is open until March 15, with additional application windows to follow in the summer.
Maryland Forest Service Announces New Urban Forestry Grant Program
On January 25, 2024, the Maryland Forest Service initiated a $4.8 million federal Inflation Reduction Act grant program for urban and community forestry projects over the next four years.
This Community Forestry Catalyst Fund will further Maryland’s goal to improve forest coverage and the tree canopy through the 5 Million Trees for Maryland initiative and established programs like the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Urban Trees Grant Program. These initiatives focus on tree planting in areas where it most benefits people, such as heat island reduction, air quality improvement, and flood control.
Maryland Forest Service Director Anne Hairston-Strang emphasized the need to consider the location and health of trees when analyzing their impact on quality of life, public health, and climate resilience.
A 2022 study by the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agroecology revealed that despite a relatively consistent 40% statewide tree canopy coverage, there is a concerning trend of forest depletion in counties with high development pressure.
Research solidifies that urban and suburban trees and forests offer taxpayers annual benefits in the hundreds of millions through services like air and water quality regulation, flood and erosion control, and Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction.
Applications for the first stage of the Catalyst Fund are now open through March 15, with multi-year awards ranging from $5,000 to $200,000. A second application window will open this summer for greater flexibility in aligning award periods with other resources.
For more information on applying, interested local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, and other qualifying applicants can visit the Catalyst Fund page on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website. They can also contact J.T. Bowers, associate director of the Maryland Forest Service, at justin.bowers@maryland.gov. The Maryland Forest Service has a team of foresters, technicians, and specialists available to assist applicants as required.
—
Read More US Economic News